
For the past three years, ParkUToledo has been in control of all faculty and student parking services at the University of Toledo. While students with vehicles are certainly familiar with who ParkUToledo is, they may not be as familiar with what they do, and what they can offer for students beyond simply parking passes.
“It just feels like they’re kind of this entity that everybody knows about, but nobody really understands,” said senior economics student Adelei Marie Cundiff.
According to ParkUToledo, they are working to change these perceptions by becoming more engaged and connected to students and staff alike. One way that they have done this is by offering select free vehicle services to students.
ParkUToledo has installed an air compressor in Parking Area 18, near the student recreation center. This air compressor is completely free to use, and since its installation in 2023, has been used over 383 times
ParkUToledo also has the ability to give free battery jumps to vehicles in any of their parking areas if a waiver is signed before the service is performed. While these services are not required of ParkUToledo to perform for students, they are offered as a perk, using extra funding from the nonprofit’s 30-year concession agreement with the University to provide these services.
“We know it’s not fun having a dead battery or a flat tire,” said Sherri Kaspar, ParkUToledo’s executive director.
These battery jumps can be accessed through calling the Park UToledo office during business hours at 419-530-4100. Outside of business hours, ParkUToledo recommended that students attempt to flag down their patrolling vehicles. If a student would like to contact the office through email, their email is info@parkutoledo.com.
“We try and have as many open lines of communication as possible,” said Claire Dau, ParkUToledo’s communications manager.
According to ParkUToledo, requests for battery jumps are sporadic, yet increase in the colder months of the year as there are more issues with vehicles during this time. Yet, many UToledo students are unaware that these services are offered for them at no expense.
“I did not know. It’s nice that they do it, but I feel like it should be more publicized,” said sophomore Lacey Comer.
As things start to cool down around campus, students can begin to take advantage of both the free air compressor and battery jumps offered by ParkUToledo.